Get rid of Body Pain with Pilates Ball Exercises

Pilates Ball Exercises

Pilates is a form of exercise that was developed in the early twentieth century in the United States. It is named after its founder Joseph Pilates. Pilates is a unique form of exercise that combines techniques from many ancient disciplines including Yoga and Zen. These exercises involve a series of flowing movements that are based on the natural stretching patterns of animals. A majority of the exercises are performed while sitting or kneeling. There are also a number of props that are used in Pilates that help to ensure proper form and add resistance. The exercise ball is one of the most commonly used props in Pilates.

Exercise balls are such a great exercise prop because they provide a flexible and cushioned, yet unstable base on which to perform Pilates exercises. Performing these exercises, while straining to maintain your balance on an exercise ball, really helps to strengthen the joints and the core muscles. Pilates exercises are low impact and are the perfect way to get rid of joint and body pain.

Benefits of Pilates Ball Exercises

There are many benefits which can be obtained by performing Pilates exercises on an exercise ball. Let us take a look at some of them:

• Pilates exercises on an exercise ball strengthen the core muscles and help to lengthen the spine. This helps in alleviating back pain.
• The unstable base on which these exercises are performed, help to increase co-ordination, balance, and awareness of the entire body. This in turn stimulates the nervous system.
• It has been shown that Pilates exercises on an exercise ball can significantly improve your reflexes.
• These exercises also help to strengthen the muscles and improve endurance and flexibility. This helps to make the body stronger and more resistant to injury.

Precautions

Since the exercise ball is an unstable object, a little extra care should be taken when performing exercises on it to ensure that you do not get hurt. First and foremost ensure that you have sufficient room to safely accommodate the ball and yourself. There is a good chance that you may fall off the ball a couple of times, so do ensure that there are no sharp objects in the vicinity that can hurt you or puncture the ball. It is also a good idea to wear non-skid shoes or exercise barefoot. Avoid exercising in your socks as they will not afford you a sufficient grip.